How do I apply for financial aid?

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application process begins every year on January 1. The priority filing deadline
date is March 2. The school code for SJSU is 001155.

Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?

Most aid requires at least half-time enrollment (6 units for undergrad/post-baccalaureate/credential
students, and 4 units for graduate students). However, because financial aid is awarded
based on full-time enrollment, students must notify the Financial Aid and Scholarship
Office if enrolled less than full-time by submitting the Student Information Update Form.

I completed a FAFSA or Dream Act application, what is the next step?

Periodically view your MySJSU for document(s) that will appear on the To Do List.
View Seven Steps to Financial Aid for details on the financial aid process at SJSU.

Can I fax or email the financial aid documents?

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office cannot accept faxed or emailed documents.
Documents must be submitted in person or mailed.

When will I receive an award notification?

The evaluation process begins when all required financial aid documents are received.
Check your To Do items to see if additional documentation is needed. The evaluation
process can take approximately 4-8 weeks, depending on the volume of applications
received. When the evaluation process is completed, an award notification will be
sent to your MySJSU.

How do I apply for Cal Grant?

To apply for Cal Grant, complete the FAFSA and a Cal Grant GPA verification form by
March 2.

Cal Grant is not on my award, am I not eligible?

You may still be eligible if CSAC has notified you of your eligibility, however Cal
Grant requires a separate evaluation from the college. Contact the Financial Aid and
Scholarship Office at 408-283-7500, ext 6, fao@sjsu.edu, or visit the office.

I completed the Dream Act application. What am I eligible to receive?

You may qualify for state aid, such as Cal Grant, State University Grant, and EOP
grant. For additional grant criteria, view types of aid.

Do I qualify for the Dream Act?

To qualify, you must be considered as an AB540 student. View CSAC for additional application criteria.

What is a tuition fee deferral?

The tuition fee deferral protects course enrollment and delays the payment of tuition
fees. The tuition fee deferral is temporary and is removed at the beginning of the
semester. The purpose of the tuition fee deferral is to allow financial aid to disburse
and apply towards fees.

How do I get a tuition fee deferral?

Tuition fee deferrals are automatically assigned to a student's MySJSU once all requested
financial aid documents are received and file noted as complete. View Important Announcements for document submission deadline.

Does the tuition fee deferral apply to housing fees?

The financial aid tuition fee deferral does not defer housing fees. Students should
contact a University Housing Services representative for payment information.

What happens after the tuition fee deferral is removed?

Once the tuition fee deferral is removed, students are responsible for paying all
fees by the posted deadline date, regardless of his/her financial aid status. The
Bursar's Office will automatically drop course enrollment if fees are not paid by the posted deadline date.

How do I know if I have a tuition fee deferral on MySJSU?

The tuition fee deferral is viewed under "Other Indicators" located on the right hand
side of the Student Center page on MySJSU. Select "Details" to view the semester that corresponds to your tuition fee deferral.

I will be a new student in the fall. Can I receive aid for summer classes before
the fall term begins?

New students who are admitted for fall are not eligible for aid for the previous summer
term.

Who is eligible to receive summer aid?

Students who have been awarded financial aid at SJSU for the current academic year
are eligible to apply for summer aid. Students must be enrolled at least half-time:
6 units undergrad/post-baccalaureate/credential; or 4 units graduate.

How do I apply/request summer aid?

Upon registering for summer courses, students must consult with a financial aid representative
to determine summer aid eligibility. View Summer Financial Aid for additional information

When will my summer financial aid disburse?

For eligible students, aid is disbursed after the second week of the summer session.

I will be taking courses at a community college and attending SJSU at the same time. Can
the combined units count as full-time at SJSU?

Combined units may be considered under cross-enrollment. Students must be enrolled
in at least 6 units at San Jose State University to be considered for cross-enrollment.
Approval from the Office of the Registrar is required. View Office of the Registrar website for more information on cross-enrollment requirements.

Can I receive aid from two schools at the same time?

No. Due to federal regulations, students cannot receive aid from more than one college
during the same period of enrollment.

Is financial aid available for winter session?

Financial aid is not available for winter session. Students are responsible for paying
all fees by the posted due date.

Will my financial aid pay my tuition and housing fees?

Tuition, fees, housing, book charges, short-term loans, etc. will automatically be
deducted from financial aid. If the financial aid a student receives is not sufficient
to cover the full amount of fees due, the remaining balance is the responsibility
of the student and must be paid by the posted due date.

What if I receive additional funds from another source?

Federal regulations require that all sources of financial aid, including any outside
scholarships, grants, stipends, or vocational rehabilitation benefits be taken into
consideration. Financial aid may be adjusted to reflect any additional sources of
montetary aid. Report any additional sources of aid by completing the Student Information Update form.

How do I sign up for direct deposit?

How can I give my parents or spouse access to my financial aid information?

The Student Authorization to Release Information form authorizes SJSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to discuss and/or release
financial aid information to the person(s) you designate. The form MUST be completed
every academic year and MUST be submitted in person. Students will be asked to show valid ID when submitting the form.

When will my financial aid disburse?

Disbursement begins the first week of each semester and continues on a weekly basis.

Will I receive my financial aid all at once?

Financial aid is awarded based on the academic year, and is equally divided into two
semesters (fall and spring), unless otherwise specified. Aid for the semester is disbursed all at once. View Seven Steps to Financial Aid, refer to steps #5 and #6, for reasons why aid has not disbursed.

Why hasn't my financial aid disbursed?

Since financial aid is awarded based on full-time enrollment (12 units undergraduate;
8 units graduate), aid will not automatically disburse if a student is enrolled in
less than full-time units. Students must inform the Financial Aid and Scholarship
Office of their enrollment status by completing the Student Information Update form.

What if I change the number of units enrolled after receiving my financial aid award?

If you receive aid and then drop units, you may be required to repay a portion of
the funds. The repayment amount will be determined after the add/drop period has ended.
Students should periodically view their MySJSU for payment notices.

What if I am not eligible for financial aid?

If a financial aid representative determines that you are not eligible for financial
aid, you will be responsible for paying your tuition fees by the fee due date or you
will be subject to enrollment cancellation. You may contact the Bursar's Office for payment arrangements.